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12-05-2017, 01:22 PM
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Field fix for lost 1911 recoil spring plug...
Let's say that you are in the field with your trusty 1911 .45, getting off a few plinking shots just to keep yourself from getting rusty. You sit down to field strip the pistol for quick cleaning before putting it away, and sproiiing... your recoil spring plug flies out of its channel into the tall grass somewhere... unknown.
After a desperate search for a part your pistol cannot do without, you must admit that you'll have to order a replacement part, and that will take time.
Fear not. If you have a standard full-size 1911, a suitable emergency replacement for the plug is probably on the ground in front of you. Stoop down, pick it up, wipe it off, install it, and you are back in action! Thanks, John Browning, for another stroke of genius.
By the way, a .45 ACP case rim can also be used as a screwdriver to remove the grip screws - the slots are concave for that reason.
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 12-05-2017 at 01:37 PM.
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12-05-2017, 01:28 PM
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Great information.. Thanks.
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12-05-2017, 01:36 PM
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Thanks, all these years, and I never knew that!
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12-05-2017, 01:49 PM
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Yep.... that was part of the design that made this gun so great.
The entire gun can be torn down with no tools needed..
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12-05-2017, 01:53 PM
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Wow. What an excellent tip! Thanks for posting that!
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12-05-2017, 01:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigggbbruce
Yep.... that was part of the design that made this gun so great.
The entire gun can be torn down with no tools needed..
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It sure can. I did an article on that subject back in 2001 (link below).
John
The 1911 Pistol is its own toolbox
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12-05-2017, 01:58 PM
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"The slots are concave for this reason"
They are concave because the cutter was fed straight in and that was the radius of the cutter. :-) Lots faster than feeding across.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
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12-05-2017, 02:23 PM
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1911's were designed so no tools are needed to take them them down, nothing new about that . A case rim will even unscrew the grips.
John M. Browning a great designer ! Thank you sir !
Gary
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12-05-2017, 02:39 PM
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Well tickle Me with a feather. Been shooting 1911's for 50 years and never lost a plug as I always covered the gun with My shirt or coat. At My age I might forget and do the unthinkable. Now if I can just remember this thread. FWIW. Ever got out that old lantern or stove and go camping only to find out the pump is dry and You don't have an oil can. Yes You do. It's called a DIP STICK. If You don't know what that is, God Bless.
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12-05-2017, 02:39 PM
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Here's a better tip - don't field strip your gun in the desert where things can go missing. It will wait until you get home to it properly... 
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12-05-2017, 05:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneounceload
Here's a better tip - don't field strip your gun in the desert where things can go missing. It will wait until you get home to it properly... |
I agree unlesssomething is really gunked up. You can oil the rails without disassembly.
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12-05-2017, 05:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpercle
A case rim will even unscrew the grips.
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Unless you have the hex head or torx head grip screws...then, if you don't have the correct tool, you are screwed (or not.)
My Ruger SR1911 CMD came with hex or Allen head grips screws. My OCD likes them better than the slotted head screws, because try as I might, I never could get the slots to line up the same way. (Yes, I really am that neurotic.)
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12-05-2017, 05:39 PM
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John Browning was a genius!
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12-05-2017, 05:54 PM
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Me and John was born on Jan. 23--just a few years apart--but I was born in 1945 ACP. My dads initials are J.M.  The M is Mose.
Last edited by 4barrel; 12-05-2017 at 06:15 PM.
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12-05-2017, 07:57 PM
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John Browning was a genius!
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12-05-2017, 09:36 PM
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WOW, did not know that! Maybe I’ll try a nickel case to add a little bling to the business end of the old colt!
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12-05-2017, 09:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gripgrabber
WOW, did not know that! Maybe I’ll try a nickel case to add a little bling to the business end of the old colt!
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Wicked Grips has a selection of engraved recoil spring plugs. They are't cheap ($30 to $50) but there are some really spiffy ones.
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12-07-2017, 07:03 AM
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Another reason not to have a FLG. (Full length guide rod).
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12-07-2017, 09:14 AM
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I did know about the recoil spring plug, in fact I had to do that in the field one time, it does work. Did not know about the rim being a makeshift screwdriver, good info.
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